HACKER Q&A
📣 throwawayadvsec

How to monetize a Browser Extension without making users pay or leave?


Hi, I have a cool idea for a browser extension.

I tried to make it a website at first to add ads, but a browser extension seems more appropriate.

How could I make money off a browser extension without making the users pay and without using dark patterns that would make the users flee?


  👤 0x073 Accepted Answer ✓
I don't think browser extensions are good to monetize. Personally I would never pay to any of it. I donated to two open source projects that are browser extensions but I don't think that's the target of you.

If you can't control the site I wouldn't pay for an extension that could easily break.


👤 pizza
The artifact is being released for free. But you want to be compensated for your dev time. So maybe a patreon or github sponsorship or something like that.

👤 cddotdotslash
What about a freemium model? Allow users to get basic features for free, but add hooks into the UI prompting them to upgrade to access more advanced features.

👤 ApolloRising
Depending on what the extension does, you should be able to monetize it by figuring who needs it the most and if companies would sponsor it.

👤 cannibalXxx
How about you make it available for free for a while and then monetize it? or else use it in freemium

👤 tucaz
Get someone to pay/fund you because it works really well with their site or app?